IRAN
Iran says makes proposal aimed at breakthrough in nuclear standoff
Justyna Pawlak and Yeganeh Torbati, Reuters – October 15 2013
Iran has presented “logical” proposals at the P5+1 talks in Geneva for a deal on its uranium enrichment program. Details of the proposal are not yet available, however the Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister, Abbas Araqchi, has said that the other powers “welcomed” Tehran’s proposals.
US Congress calls for hard line on Iran sanctions
Patricia Zengerle, Reuters – October 14, 2013
A group of six Democratic and four Republican senators have sent a letter to President Obama urging him to stand firm on current sanctions against Iran. These sanctions should only begin to be lifted once Tehran has taken significant steps towards slowing its nuclear program. A credible military threat should also remain an option before any such steps have been taken.
Don’t expect miracles in Iran
Ali Vaez, CNN – October 14, 2013
To expect a quick breakthrough in Geneva this week would be naïve. The issue of Iran’s nuclear program has become more complex since Iran first began its enrichment program over 10 years ago. Negotiators should concentrate on achieving realistic progress in the form of an agreement on an endgame.
Senators to Obama: No uranium enrichment in Iran
Bradley Kipper, Associated Press – October 14, 2013
Leading US Senators from both sides of the aisle have demanded an end to all uranium enrichment within Iranian borders. The demand could prove to be at odds with the Obama administration, which has suggested in recent weeks that it may agree to a deal allowing for restricted uranium enrichment within Iran.
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
Oak Ridge labor leaders, activists press for action to avoid Y-12 furloughs
Frank Munger, Knox News – October 14, 2013
Thousands of government workers at the Y-12 nuclear weapons plant in Oak Ridge, Tennessee are scheduled to be furloughed this week as a result of the ongoing government shutdown. Labor leaders and political activists are joining together and calling for a resolution to the ongoing budget crisis.
To Save the Submarines, Eliminate ICBMs and Bombers
Christopher Preble and Matt Fay, Defense One – October 14, 2013
The Navy should cut two legs of the US nuclear triad (intercontinental ballistic missiles and nuclear bombers) in order to fund the new SSBN(x) submarine program. A single nuclear delivery system, based on the new submarine fleet, would save money in the long term and maintain a powerful US nuclear deterrent.
US nuclear force faces a cascade of missteps
Robert Burns, Associated Press – October 12, 2013
The US nuclear force has faced a number of missteps in recent weeks. The Air Force fired the head of its nuclear missiles on Friday, while the Navy fired the second-in-command at US strategic command two days earlier. These high profile cases have followed a number of firings at Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota in May and a failed safety inspection at an intercontinental ballistic missile base in Montana in August.
CHEMICAL WEAPONS
To Ousted Boss, Arms Watchdog Was Seen as an Obstacle in Iraq
Marlise Simons, The New York Times – October 13, 2013
A year before the invasion of Iraq, John Bolton, then US undersecretary of state, forced the director general of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, José Bustani, to resign. Mr. Bustani claims that the Bush administration did not want any chemical weapons inspections in Iraq for fear that they would undermine its rationale for an invasion.
